Suspects identified in Arvada car chase and shooting

Suspects identified in Arvada car chase and shooting

ARVADA, Colo. — Police released Monday the names of two men accused of shooting at a group of partiers and then leading police on a wild chase early Saturday in Arvada.

Maksim Khamov, 23, was identified as the driver of the suspect vehicle, the Arvada Police Department said. Igor Skolev, also 23, was a passenger in the car. He was found dead after the suspects allegedly exchanged gunfire with officers.

It wasn’t yet clear whether the dead man was shot by officers, his companion or himself, police said.

The incident began about 2 a.m. at the Hoffbrau Bar and Grill in Westminster, police said. A group of three men and one woman became involved in an argument with one or two other men. Following the argument, the group left the bar.

A short time later, the group realized they were being followed by two men in a silver Audi, APD reported. Near West 80th Avenue and Pierce Street, the passenger in the Audi leaned out the window and opened fire, hitting the vehicle once, police said.

No one in the victim car was injured. The group was able to lose their pursuers and then called police.

Police responded and spotted the suspect car twice — once at West 66th Avenue and Iris Street and again at Oberon and Carr streets. The first time, officers did not follow the car out of concern for public safety, APD said. The second time, Arvada police officers did give chase but eventually lost the Audi.

Then, about 4 a.m., officers saw the Audi at West 72nd Avenue and Miller Street, APD said. During the ensuing pursuit, the suspects drove into a dead-end street, allowing police vehicles to block them in.

The suspect driver spun the car around and drove back at officers, APD said. The passenger shot at the officers, who returned fire, police said. The suspects escaped once again, and police decided not to follow.

The officers were not hurt, APD said.

Finally, about 4:40 a.m., police near West 62nd Avenue and Dover Street noticed a silver Audi with broken windows pulled over on the side of the road.

Four officers moved in to find two men, one dead of a gunshot wound. It was not totally clear how he was shot.

Police found a pistol in the car.

The driver of the car, alleged to be Khamov, was unhurt except for cuts sustained from broken glass, APD said. He was arrested.